tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44991820100975617292016-10-10T12:18:56.135-07:00NICOLA GILDERSLEEVERunning has given me so many amazing memories. It has allowed me to truly discover who I am and what I am made of. Through running, I have traveled to some of the most beautiful destinations and made a lot of great friends along the way. This blog is dedicated to telling those stories.Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.comBlogger287125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-55950810411696185442016-10-10T12:18:00.002-07:002016-10-10T12:18:56.146-07:00THE GOLDEN ULTRA: 3 DAY STAGE RACEI signed up for the Golden Ultra way back in the spring. After moving to Vernon at the end of August (2015) I decided I would try and do some races that were more local to me. This was only my second race in the past year! I had a pretty fun 2 months off school and spent most of it gallivanting from one adventure to the next. I was feeling confident that I had done enough to toe the line at this Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-68102750281118114102016-09-03T11:59:00.002-07:002016-09-03T11:59:35.159-07:00STEIN VALLEY TRAVERSE...IN A DAYThis summer has been a real whirlwind of a good time. Essentially, I had 2 months off of school and I wanted to make the most of it. I had very loose plans and left my schedule open to bounce from one thing to the next and make random spontaneous decisions. It's been a gas and I now feel ready to go back to school!
THE STEIN AND "THE DREAM":
Long before Peter and I were together he had thisNicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-66316930547989141152016-05-02T07:59:00.000-07:002016-05-02T08:09:07.479-07:00DIRTY FEET: KAL PARK 25KM RACE REPORTMy initial plan was to run the BMO Vancouver Marathon, however I found out there was a race in Vernon that same weekend. Having done the BMO 3 times already I figured I should be doing the races in my new town. It would also be a great way to meet new runners and connect with the community.
I signed up for the 25k because up to that point my longest run had been 18km. Juggling both school and Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-13094719183164739612015-11-07T15:36:00.000-08:002015-11-07T15:38:25.248-08:00LIFE IN VERNON!
Howdie! It’s definitely been a while since I last posted and
a lot has changed. Directly after the Fat Dog 120, Peter and I moved to Vernon, BC, which
is considered the hub of the North Okanagan. We nestled into our new place and quickly set
out to explore some of the many trails in this part of BC. Although the
mountains don’t soar as high as the one’s back home, the views are plentiful
and Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-29676622671402225612015-07-17T18:47:00.001-07:002015-07-17T18:47:35.442-07:00KNEE KNACKER 50KM RACE REPORTI set a goal sometime last year that my focus for 2015 would be my 5th Knee Knacker. Its been years since I have been able to run it at my full potential.
I didn't do any early season races and took a month off work in March to go on a rad climbing road trip through the USA. I managed to sneak in some running amongst a lot of climbing and came back feeling strong and fit.
A couple weeks after Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-20885982962006757452015-06-22T17:04:00.001-07:002015-06-22T17:06:05.247-07:00MARATHON SHUFFLE RACE REPORTThe Marathon Shuffle (name is deceiving) is a 29km trail run along the Sunshine Coast Trail in Powell River. I heard about it a few years back but the timing has never worked out for me.
Luckily, but rather unluckily, Peter and I were in Powell River after his surgery which is where he wanted to be during his recovery.
The shuffle kind of reminds me of the Knee Knacker (KK). People throw Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-8739463995528031022015-01-21T19:21:00.000-08:002015-01-27T08:16:55.304-08:00Post HURT DNF Race Report
The start of the race Photo by: Rob Lahoe
The HURT 100 had been on my radar for the last 3 years. I had actually signed up for the lottery twice before but pulled my name both times because the timing wasn't right. Needless to say I was excited to be on the entrants list.
Training went ok- I had no injuries! However, I was having a hard time motivating myself to get in the miles with the Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-52209279499476141482014-10-24T12:58:00.000-07:002014-10-25T18:46:33.541-07:00OREGON COAST 50KM RACE REPORT
The start of the race! Photo by: Justin Richards
I signed-up for the Rainshadow Running Oregon Coast 50km event with a bit of hesitation. For some reason the 6 miles of beach running at the start had me a bit nervous. But, I convinced myself that everyone would be in the same boat and that it would probably be pretty hilarious.
I had registered months ago and finally race weekend was upon Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-5590292313796289412014-08-29T22:27:00.000-07:002014-08-31T11:22:40.598-07:00The rest of our PCT trip- In Journal Entries<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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mso-padding-alt:0cm Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-31951899196016784752014-06-21T10:51:00.002-07:002014-06-21T10:53:06.278-07:00PCT Day 17-23
We ("Fat Dog" and "Marathon") had a really great stay at the Best Western in Mammoth Lakes. We really didn't move much and luckily, everything we needed was within a 5 minute walk from the hotel. They had an amazing complimentary breakfast buffet (fresh eggs, pancakes, french toast, sausages, bacon, potato mash, watermelon, cantaloupe....plus cereal, toast, oatmeal etc which we never Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-80090199731311924542014-06-13T15:02:00.003-07:002014-06-13T15:04:19.445-07:00The Pacific Crest Trail: Day 0-14
In the first few days out of Tehachapi (the desert).
A quick recap before we started...
We cleaned out our home the night before and the only belongings that remained were those that were in our hiking packs. We literally slept in our sleeping bags on our Thermarests. The next morning, we got up, packed those items back into our bags, left the keys behind and walked out of our place for the Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-20071418052710926802014-01-12T10:33:00.005-08:002014-01-12T10:33:55.802-08:00FRIENDSHIPS!
Gemma, Sarah, Shauna and I at the end of our run
As the years pass by and I grow a little but older, I can`t help but notice the subtle ways I am evolving. Perhaps, it`s my observation of others that allows me to notice and reflect on these changes.
I have been a runner now for almost 10 years. My attitude towards training and racing has evolved so much in this time. My motivations to Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-88418235077100676872013-11-14T23:11:00.000-08:002013-11-15T08:39:51.602-08:00Bellingham Trail 1/2 Marathon Race Report<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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mso-padding-alt:0cm Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-89085791878133190862013-08-23T18:39:00.004-07:002013-08-23T20:12:23.230-07:00FAT DOG 120 RACE REPORT
The MEC Relay team and I before the 10am start!
I'll start off by saying that I never wanted to run FAT DOG! I told myself I would never run this race back in 2009 after GPS'ing the last 60km because I couldn't believe what people had to run after having already run 130km. Two years later I was marking the first 13km of the race and the entire thing was straight uphill. I stated again that I Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-70483480286009302692013-07-02T17:23:00.002-07:002013-07-02T17:23:50.632-07:00PAM SMITH PRE-WESTERN STATES INTERVIEWAs I sat in the sauna (heat training) reading all of the pre-Western States interviews on irun far, I couldn't help but wonder why Pam Smith was left out. I have ran in races with her and she has always kicked ass. We are both on team La Sportiva and I decided to do my own pre-ws100 interview. Since Pam ended up winning Western I thought people would be interested in what she had to say...
Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-18694238094450001072013-05-07T19:45:00.001-07:002013-05-07T19:45:07.699-07:002013 BMO Vanocuver Marathon Race Report
Me at The District post run for some breakfast and Mimosas!
It has been nearly 6 years since I ran my last marathon. In 2008 I participated in the IMG New York City Marathon. However, I did not race as I was racing Haney 2 Harrison the following weekend. Instead, I ran with a good friend and simply took in the experience.
I had applied for an elite entry into the Van marathon quite a ways Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-19549585867328668252013-04-23T17:02:00.001-07:002013-04-23T17:05:16.044-07:00Yakima 50km Race ReportI met Leslie Gerein 4 years back at Transrockies. Her and her wonderful hubby Keith were doing it together. The following year I went and stayed with her in beautiful Banff, Alberta and ran my butt off in the 4 days I was there. I was training for Western States and a weekend away with amazing women who loved to run was just what I needed to keep the stoke alive during what seemed like a very Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-90939511620412351532013-04-18T18:50:00.000-07:002013-04-18T18:50:35.621-07:00TURNING 29...This passed Sunday I turned 29! Yup, only one year left in the 20-29 age category and then winning my age group will become much much harder! I must say that 28 was a good year. It had it's ups and downs but I learned a lot. For the most part I listened to my heart and can't be happier with where I am right now.
The weekends festivities were fun. On my actual birthday I went for a great 23km runNicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-85826863349815528062013-04-07T13:45:00.002-07:002013-04-07T13:45:11.194-07:00DIEZ VISTA 50KM RACE REPORTThe week leading up to this race my legs were feeling DEAD. It was weird to because I hadn't done a long run that past weekend and took it REALLY easy the week leading up to the race. Nonetheless I was going to run no matter what fully knowing that it was probably not going to be a "RACE". This was going to be my 4th ultra of the year which is the most I have ever done this early on, let alone Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-42408959372130116982013-03-21T19:00:00.000-07:002013-03-21T19:09:56.475-07:00CHUCKANUT 50KMI have done this race two times before and although a lot of people slam it for its boring flat/gravel start/finish, I have a special spot for it.Wit that said, it is not a race I would do yearly like the Knee Knacker but it creeps onto my calendar every couple of years. My two previous times were 4:55 and 4:35. I significantly bettered my first year time simply by running all the hills, even Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-32137351421674380912013-03-20T19:39:00.001-07:002013-03-20T19:39:49.985-07:00DIRTY DUO 50KMI decided to volunteer as a leader for the Dirty Duo trail clinic. I have been volunteering off and on for the Mountain Madness trail clinics for years and I really enjoy doing it. I always meet some amazing folks who easily fall in to my trap and become ultra runners! This year Heather added a 50km clinic option and the runs got up to near 40km. Good times were had!
The start at Jaycee House!Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-37644069396119622612013-03-15T18:09:00.000-07:002013-03-15T18:09:15.732-07:00The Yeti Snowshoe race- WhistlerThis blog is a bit over due but here goes!
The Congo line near the end of the first lap
On March 2nd, I drove down to the Callaghan XC Ski area, with 2 lovely ladies. The 3 of us work for MEC and we are the title sponsor of the series and wanted to represent, set up a both, and hand out some warm hot chocolate for finishers. I also decided I would run too!
It's been many years Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-91878230962229446812013-02-14T17:34:00.000-08:002013-02-14T17:34:06.520-08:00Running Happy at ORCAS ISLAND 50km!!!"RUN HAPPY" is a line I had on one of my favorite Brooks t-shirts and it is for sure my mantra for 2013. I did Orca's Island last year and was gearing up for it this year as my first race of the season. In all honesty, I was not looking that forward to it and I am sure it's because last year I started really fast and felt mediocre the entire way and just felt like I had a pretty lack luster Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-72105445338576083572013-01-26T15:45:00.002-08:002013-01-26T15:45:29.539-08:00FIRST POST OF 2013!It's been a while since I have posted!!! October was the last time. I guess I never got around to writing a Phantom Run (24km) race report which I ran in November! So what's been going on since then....
I got into WESTERN STATES 100!!!! I must have horseshoes up my butt because I think I had a 7% chance of getting in. Last time I got into ws100 I ran my way to an automatic entry by coming 2nd atNicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4499182010097561729.post-3538420966726054302012-10-30T19:13:00.002-07:002012-10-30T19:15:54.472-07:00AROUND THE LAKE GIV'R TAKE 30km RACE REPORT
Coming into the finish!
Around the Lake Giv'r take is one of my favorite races of the year. It consists of 30 glorious kilometers up, down and around Cultus Lake, where the race starts and finishes. The race is organized by a few folks from the Vedder running club and they do a hell of a good job. The entry always includes a great hoodie and the volunteers all bring food for afterwards. The Nicola Gildersleevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08609038320644576098noreply@blogger.com1